In 1920, off the coast of Nova Scotia Zane Grey landed a 684 pound tuna with a wodden rod. He claimed it was a Murphy Hickory. I am looking for information about these rods as I would like to build one. Any help or links would be appreciated.

The International Game Fish Association LIbrary would be your very best bet here. They would have information on the rod and the company that made it. I belive their website is www.igfa.org. Someone there should be able to fill you in.

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The Zane Grey home and Museum is just across the Delaware River from Sullivan County where I live in the Catskill Muntains. I have been me3aning to take a tour of the Museum and I think your inquiry has provided the impetus to do so. If I find any information there pertaining to this type of rod I will let you know. I am aware of Zane Grey's acheivement landing the first fish over 1000lbs on rod and reel...and that would have on a wooden rod as well. I do not know if the Museum ios open throughaout the year but I will check.
Dave

Interesting!! Please post what you find out!!

Mike

If I remember right ?? was there an artical in Rodmaker about making rods out of wood ??

Zane Grey set several world records in his day; all with wooden rods, large Coxe reels, and twisted linen for line. He was a pioneer. His fishing feats are truly amazing. However, most all of the focus was on the fish and fight. About the rod, guides, reel seat, wraps and finish little has been recorded. Without Mr. Murphy's excellent hickory rod, none of those feats would have been possible. Thanks to anyone who can contribute information.

I do not know anything about the rod but the early JA Coxe reels were the precursors to most of the modern reels. Many of the features that modern spool reels have were first introduced in the JA Coxe reels. In fact some of them are still great reels. I use direct drive JA Coxe Coronet reels for Steelhead today. They are about 75 years old but still are better in some respects than the reels made today.

You may wish to contact Michael Farrior, former director of the Avalon tuna club and world famous collector of antique fishing gear. He was just written up in San Diego newspapers re his hugh collection of gear owned by guys like Zane Grey and Ernest Hemingway. He is also in need of a kidney from someone with O-positive blood. I believe his tele # is 619-548-0164 or Google his name for additional info on him.